Update on the
implementation of the Safer Chemical Management Procedure

STAFF CONTACT(S):

Messrs. Tucker,
Foley, Davis, Shadman, Mullaney

Ms. Temple

LEGAL REVIEW:
Yes

AGENDA DATE:

July 1, 2009

ACTION:
INFORMATION:

CONSENT AGENDA:

ACTION:
INFORMATION: X

ATTACHMENTS:
Yes

REVIEWED BY:

BACKGROUND:

In June
2008 the Board expressed support for the implementation of the Safer Chemical
Management Procedure, a department-level operational procedure that promotes the
use of non-chemical methods and safer product alternatives in day-to-day County
operations and activities in lieu of using traditional, synthetic products. The
procedure is being implemented by the Parks and Recreation and General Services
Departments. In July 2008 the School Board also expressed support for
implementing a slightly revised version of this procedure. This Executive
Summary is meant as an update on implementing this Procedure in local government
departments.

In
summary, the Procedure stipulates that: 1) Custodial products must be certified
by a green label specified in the Procedure; 2) High touch surface areas (e.g.
bathrooms) be routinely sanitized (not disinfected), but that
disinfection occur as soon as practicable in response to a blood-borne pathogen
event, viral outbreak, or as directed by the Virginia Department of Health; 3)
In management of grounds, chemical use is eliminated where practicable and
feasible. If chemicals must be used, then organic or biological-based
alternatives are to be used, with 5 outlined exceptions; 4) the County implement
a formal integrated pest management (IPM) program for the management of indoor
pests.

During
the June 2008 meeting, the Board of Supervisors requested an annual update via
the Consent Agenda as to the progress of implementing the Safer Chemical
Management Procedure, including a summary of any waiver requests granted, a copy
of any audits conducted, and a summary of any issues with implementation.

STRATEGIC PLAN:

Goal 1:
Enhance Quality of Life

Goal 2:
Protect Natural Resources

DISCUSSION:

Functional Area Updates

Grounds Management

Recognizing the intent of Procedure, the Parks & Recreation Department has
reduced the use of Round Up in exempted areas by an estimated 50%.

Corn gluten, a biological alternative for a pre-emergent, is currently being
tested for effectiveness by the Parks & Recreation Department.
This test will require two years for accurate
results. The first application of corn gluten was applied this Spring in a
test area. Another area was treated with a chemical pre-emergent and a third
area with nothing. Parks will repeat that process again this Fall and next
Spring with hopes of informative results by the Spring 2010.

The Parks department has diverted some volunteer work groups from other
projects to hand weeding landscape beds and mulched areas.

Parks and Recreation staff has noted that the parks don't have the routine
“neat and trim” appearance as in the past, but thus far this has not
generated complaints from the public. This is particularly noticeable along
sides of roads, fence lines, landscape beds and mulch areas around trees.

Staff has yet to find an
alternative as effective as Round-Up. Burn-Out, a biological-based
alternative, is currently being used and is the best of the alternatives.

Custodial / Cleaning Operations

All custodial products used by the General Services Department have been
replaced with products that are certified by a green certification system
listed in the Safer Chemical Management Procedure.

The General Services Custodial Division has made an almost seamless
transition from using traditional custodial products to using green
certified products, and has had no major reported performance issues with
using the new green certified products.

Despite making the switch to green certified products, General Services has
received occasional complaints from building occupants who are sensitive to
these cleaning products and associated odors, despite the green
certification.

Parks & Recreation cleaning staff report that green certified cleaning
products do not clean as well and require more effort and product.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

An
integrated pest management program for the management of indoor pests is
currently in place, but staff is currently working on formalizing this program.

Internal Audit Process

The
Environmental Compliance Managers are planning the first internal audit of the
Safer Chemical Management Procedure, to be scheduled before the end of July
2009. Results of the audit can be made available to the Board and will be
included in the June 2010 update to the Board.

Waiver Requests

As of
June 2009, only one waiver has been requested and granted. The Parks and
Recreation Department submitted a waiver request for the purpose of treating an
irrigation pond at Darden Towe Park that becomes overtaken annually by an
aquatic weed known as Mosquito Fern (Azolla caroliniana). In 2008 staff
attempted to manually remove this weed, which proved infeasible with the labor
hours and staff required; shortly thereafter, the weed grew back in its
entirety. While there are no biological or organic treatment alternatives
available, there is a biological-based prevention product that will be used in
the future to try to prevent this from recurring. The product approved for
treatment has been researched by staff to be the most environmentally-friendly
alternative, and all requirements on the product label, including dilution
rates, signage, etc., will be strictly adhered to. Staff has identified some
environmental and safety risks inherit in not treating the pond. Examples
include the potential of a fish kill due to lack of oxygen in the water, and the
possibility of a child mistaking the pond for solid ground.

BUDGET IMPACT:

There is no budget impact in
presenting the Board with an update of program implementation.